Porsche’s version of the Goldilocks tale is the 993-generation 911, the one many Porschephiles agree that the company got just right. It’s an ideal blend of technology and classic 911 air-cooled heritage. Today, a naturally aspirated 993 is a fantastic way to score a legendary sports car for V-6–family-sedan coin, but finding and buying a good one may not be just a roll in the edelweiss in lederhosen.

engine

The final version of the air-cooled 911 had a 3.6-liter flat-six engine. Most let out a puff of smoke on startup, which can point to worn valve guides. A good pre-purchase inspection (PPI) with a leakdown test should reveal the extent of any problem.

All ‘96-and-later 993s are likely to encounter the infamous secondary air-injection clog, which trips the check-engine light. Cleaning can be expensive. Be sure to check with a dealer’s service department to verify whether all recalls have been performed, and scour the engine for oil drips.

993 model-year timeline

1995 Porsche introduces the last air-cooled 911 in ’94 as the 1995 Carrera coupe. A few months later, the Carrera is joined by the 911 Cabriolet and both are available with all-wheel drive (Carrera 4). 1996 Turbo, glass-roofed Targa and wide-body Carrera 4S variants arrive. Engine management gains OBD II and a variable-intake manifold (VarioRam) that boosts output from 270 to 282 horsepower. 1997 Wide-body Carrera S and Turbo S variants show up. 1998 The end of an era: The final year of the 993 made way for the fully redesigned, water-cooled 996.

Estimated Used Values*:

MODEL

PRICE:

HIGH MILEAGE

LOW MILEAGE

1995 Carrera/Carrera 4/
Cabriolet

$26,000 $39,000

1996 Carrera/Carrera 4/
Cabriolet/Targa

$27,000 $40,000

1996 Carrera 4S

$36,000 $52,000

1997 Carrera/Carrera 4/
Cabriolet/Targa

$29,000 $42,000

1997 Carrera S/
Carrera 4S

$37,000 $54,000

1998 Cabriolet

$29,000 $42,000

1998 Carrera S

$38,000 $55,000

Approximate Repair Costs:

PARTS

LABOR

Oil change

$112

$188

Clutch replacement

$850

$1700

Steering-gear replacement

$1700

$400

Top-end rebuild

N/A

$7000–$8000

Dual-distributor belt change

$15

$430

Lower valve cover gasket replacement

$50

$350

Upper and lower valve cover gasket replacement

$90

$780

Chain box cover gasket replacement

$160

$900

Replacement of blower motor resistors

$120

$430

Four-wheel alignment

N/A

$300

*C/D est. for excellent condition. High mileage is about 125,000 miles; low is about 50,000 miles. Deduct $2000 for Tiptronic automatic. Turbo models not included.

C/D:Any surprises with the car?CJ: The real surprise was that the only place to do a pre-purchase inspection was the Porsche dealership that had been servicing the car since new, and it performed a surprisingly lackluster inspection, only hitting the main points.

C/D:Any regrets?CJ: In hindsight, I may have opted to spend up front the additional money I spent on a repaint to get a car with good-condition original paint and fewer miles. Additionally, I would have used a non-dealer specialist to perform the PPI.

C/D:Any advice for shoppers?CJ: Do your research, read the forums, and look for a while before buying. These cars are generally reliable, but quality maintenance is key. Avoid cars in need of immediate engine or drivetrain maintenance–even at a big cost savings. Many jobs require the engine to be removed and are costly.